§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the number of exemptions in each board and lodging regulations exemption category for claimants, under 26 years, who have claimed since 25 November 1985 in Tyne and Wear; and how many of these exemptions are under the exceptional hardship category;
(2) what is the present live case load of board and lodging claims by those under 26 years who have claimed after 25 November 1985 in Tyne and Wear;
(3) what is the number of claimants under 26 years since 25 November 1985 who have been granted an exemption from his Department's board and lodging time restrictions in Tyne and Wear.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department's local offices do not keep separate statistics on the number of board and lodging claims made by persons aged under 26 years. The information is not therefore readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No requests for exemption under the exceptional hardship category have been received from claimants in this area.